Shisha device configured to perforate a cartridge

ABSTRACT

A shisha device configured to pierce a cartridge comprising aerosol-forming substrate. The shisha device is configured to prevent piercing of the cartridge until the cartridge is inserted into a receptacle of the device. Piercing of the cartridge may require a step separate from insertion of the cartridge into the receptacle of the shisha device. That is, the shisha device may be configured such that insertion of the cartridge into the receptacle of the device, without more, does not cause the cartridge to be pierced.

This disclosure relates to aerosol-generating devices and to cartridges containing an aerosol-forming substrate for use in aerosol-generating devices; and more particularly, to perforation of the cartridge associated with use of aerosol-generating devices.

Traditional shisha devices are used to smoke tobacco and are configured such that vapor and smoke pass through a water basin before inhalation by a consumer. Shisha devices may include one outlet, or more than one outlet so that the device may be used by more than one consumer at a time. Use of shisha devices is considered by some to be a leisure activity and a social experience.

Typically, traditional shishas are used in combination with a substrate, sometimes referred to in the art as hookah tobacco, tobacco molasses, or simply as molasses. Traditional shisha substrates are relatively high in sugar (in some cases, up to ˜50% vs. the ˜20% typically found in conventional tobacco substrates, such as in combustible cigarettes). The tobacco used in shisha devices may be mixed with other ingredients to, for example, increase the volume of the vapor and smoke produced, to alter flavor, or both.

Traditional shisha devices employ charcoal, such as charcoal pellets to heat and sometimes combust the tobacco substrate to generate an aerosol for inhalation by a user. Using charcoal to heat the tobacco may cause full or partial combustion of the tobacco or other ingredients. Additionally, charcoal may generate harmful or potentially harmful products, such as carbon monoxide, which may mix with the shisha vapor and pass through the water basin to the outlet.

One way to reduce the production of carbon monoxide and combustion by-products is to employ e-liquids rather than tobacco. Shisha devices that employ e-liquids eliminate combustion by-products but deprive shisha consumers of the traditional tobacco-based experience.

Other shisha devices have been proposed that employ electric heaters to heat, but not combust, tobacco. Such electrically heated heat-not-burn shisha devices heat the tobacco substrate to a temperature sufficient to produce an aerosol from the substrate without combusting the substrate, and therefore reduce or eliminate by-products associated with combustion of tobacco.

Shisha devices may employ a cartridge for housing an aerosol-forming substrate. The cartridge may be filled with such aerosol-forming substrate. The aerosol-forming substrate may comprise tobacco, preferably shisha substrate, such as molasses—a mixture of tobacco, water, sugar, and other components, such as glycerine, flavors, etc. The heating system of the electrically heated shisha device heats the contents of the cartridge to generate aerosol, which is conveyed through an airflow path to a user.

In order to facilitate airflow through the cartridge and the flow of the aerosol from the cartridge, a shisha cartridge may have one or more holes through one or more walls. The cartridge may include one or more holes at the top, one or more holes at the bottom, or both one or more holes at the top and one or more holes at the bottom. Alternatively, the top may be open, that is, the top wall may be partially or completely absent. Any holes or openings in the top and bottom walls may be closed by a removable (for example, peelable) sealing layer, such as a film, sticker, or liner, during storage. The removable layer may protect the contents (for example, the molasses) from exposure to air and oxygen. The removable layer may be removed (for example, pulled or peeled off) by a user prior to first use of the cartridge.

The holes or openings in the cartridge, if left unsealed, may lead to loss of freshness (for example, moisture content) or contamination of the substrate, as well as issues with leakage. For one or more reasons, such as in order to maintain freshness, to prevent leakage of the substrate, or to preserve the quality and integrity of the substrate during storage, it is desirable to close or seal the openings or holes of the cartridge prior to use or between uses if the entire contents of the cartridge are not used at once.

Some shisha devices are configured to pierce the cartridge when the cartridge is inserted into the shisha device to form one or more holes. The shelf-life of shisha cartridges that do not have holes tends to be greater than the shelf-life of shisha cartridges that do have holes, even if the holes are covered by a seal.

However, formation of holes upon insertion of the shisha cartridge in the shisha device may have drawbacks. For example, if the user does not immediately use the shisha device and associated cartridge or does not exhaust the aerosol-forming substrate in the cartridge within a typical time frame for exhausting substrate, the aerosol-forming substrate may lose freshness or the contents of the cartridge may leak. If the contents of the cartridge leak while the cartridge is in the shisha device, the leaked contents, which may comprise a high sugar content, may be difficult to clean and may foul the device.

A user may insert a cartridge into a shisha device and not use the device immediately for a number of reasons. For example, a user may want to insert the cartridge for later use. A user may insert a cartridge and realize that they would prefer a different cartridge content, such as a cartridge having an aerosol-forming substrate with a different flavor profile. A user may insert a cartridge with the intention of immediate use but may get distracted prior to use.

Various embodiments of the present disclosure relate to shisha devices configured to pierce cartridges comprising aerosol-forming substrate. The shisha devices are configured to prevent piercing of the cartridge until the cartridge is inserted into a receptacle of the device. Preferably, piercing of the cartridge requires a step separate from insertion of the cartridge into the receptacle of the shisha device. That is, the shisha device is preferably configured such that insertion of the cartridge into the receptacle of the device, without more, does not cause the cartridge to be pierced.

Thus, a user may insert a cartridge into the shisha device to have the cartridge and device ready for future use without losing freshness or leakage occurring, provided that the piercing mechanism has not been actuated. The user may remove from the shisha device a previously inserted cartridge, for example if the user changes their mind regarding the cartridge that they would like to use, without the cartridge having been pierced. In addition, if the user is not able to initiate an intended shisha session after insertion of the cartridge into the device, the user may be assured that the cartridge will maintain fresh contents and will not leak until the piercing mechanism is actuated at a later time. Thus, the freshness of the contents of the cartridge may be maintained and fouling of the device may be avoided.

A shisha device according to the present disclosure may comprise a vessel comprising an interior volume configured to house a liquid. The vessel may comprise an inlet and a headspace outlet. The shisha device may comprise a receptacle for receiving a cartridge comprising an aerosol forming substrate. The shisha device may comprise a heating element configured to heat the cartridge when the cartridge is received in the receptacle to generate an aerosol. The shisha device may comprise a conduit through which generated aerosol may flow from the receptacle to the vessel via the inlet of the vessel. The shisha device comprises a piercing element configured to pierce the cartridge. The shisha device may comprise an actuator operably coupled to the piercing element. Actuation of the actuator may cause the piercing element to pierce the cartridge. The shisha device may be configured to prevent the actuator from causing the piercing element to pierce the cartridge until the cartridge is received in the receptacle. The shisha device may be configured to prevent the actuator from causing the piercing element to pierce the cartridge until the cartridge is already received in the receptacle.

The shisha device may comprise a release that prevents the actuator from causing the piercing element to pierce the cartridge. The release may comprise one or more of a mechanical component, an electromechanical component, and an electrical component. An electrical release may comprise control electronics and instructions to prevent or permit actuation of the actuator depending on whether the cartridge is received in the receptacle, or the like.

Insertion of the cartridge into the receptacle may cause the release to move from a first position to a second position. In the first position the release may prevent the actuator from causing the piercing element from piercing the cartridge. In the second position the release may permit the actuator to cause the piercing element to pierce the cartridge.

The shisha device may comprise a sensor to detect whether the cartridge is received in the receptacle. If the cartridge is received in the receptacle, the actuator may be permitted to cause the piercing element to pierce the cartridge. For example, the sensor may be operably coupled to control electronics that prevents the actuator may from causing the piercing element to pierce the cartridge unless the sensor detects the cartridge in the receptacle. For example, the actuator may comprise a motor and the control electronics may be configured to prevent movement of the motor unless the sensor detects the cartridge in the receptacle. By way of another example, the control electronics may be operably coupled to a release that prevents the actuator from causing the piercing element from piercing the cartridge unless the sensor detects the cartridge in the receptacle.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a shisha device comprises a vessel comprising an interior volume configured to house a liquid. The vessel comprises an inlet and a headspace outlet. The shisha device further comprises a receptacle for receiving a cartridge comprising an aerosol forming substrate; a heating element configured to heat the cartridge when the cartridge is received in the receptacle to generate an aerosol; a conduit through which generated aerosol may flow to the vessel via the inlet; a piercing element configured to pierce the cartridge; and an actuator operably coupled to the piercing element. Actuation of the actuator causes the piercing element to pierce the cartridge. The shisha device is configured to prevent the actuator from causing the piercing element to pierce the cartridge until the cartridge is received in the receptacle.

The shisha device may comprise a release that prevents the actuator from causing the piercing element to pierce the cartridge. The release may comprise one or more of a mechanical component, and electromechanical component, and an electrical component. An electrical release may comprise control electronics and instructions to prevent or permit actuation of the actuator depending on whether the cartridge is received in the receptacle, or the like.

The shisha device may comprise a sensor to detect whether the cartridge is received in the receptacle.

According to another embodiment of the present disclosure, a shisha device comprises a vessel comprising an interior volume configured to house a liquid. The vessel comprises an inlet and a headspace outlet. The shisha device further comprises a receptacle for receiving a cartridge comprising an aerosol forming substrate; a heating element configured to heat the cartridge when the cartridge is received in the receptacle to generate an aerosol; a conduit through which the generated aerosol may flow to the vessel via the inlet; a piercing element configured to pierce the cartridge; and an actuator operably coupled to the piercing element. Actuation of the actuator causes the piercing element to pierce the cartridge. The heating element may form at least a portion of the receptacle for receiving the cartridge.

The shisha device may comprise a release mechanism that prevents the actuator from causing the piercing element to pierce the cartridge. The release may be one or both of a mechanical release and an electrical release. An electrical release may comprise a control electronics and instructions to prevent or permit actuation of the actuator depending on whether the cartridge is received in the receptacle, or the like.

The shisha device may comprise a sensor to detect whether the cartridge is received in the receptacle.

The terms used herein will have their generally accepted definitions unless otherwise defined herein.

The term “aerosol” is used herein to refer to a suspension of solid particles or liquid droplets, or a combination of solid particles and liquid droplets in a gas. The gas may be air. The solid particles or liquid droplets may comprise one or more volatile flavor compounds. Aerosol may be visible or invisible. Aerosol may include vapors of substances that are ordinarily liquid or solid at room temperature. Aerosol may include vapors of substances that are ordinarily liquid or solid at room temperature, in combination with solid particles or in combination with liquid droplets or in combination with both solid particles and liquid droplets. In some embodiments, the aerosol comprises nicotine.

The term “aerosol-forming substrate” is used herein to refer to a material capable of releasing one or more volatile compounds that can form an aerosol. In some embodiments, an aerosol-forming substrate may be heated to volatilize one or more components of the aerosol- forming substrate to form an aerosol. As an alternative to heating or combustion, in some cases volatile compounds may be released by a chemical reaction or by a mechanical stimulus, such as ultrasound. The aerosol-forming substrate may be disposed inside the cartridge. Aerosol-forming substrate may be solid or liquid or may comprise both solid and liquid components. Aerosol-forming substrate may be adsorbed, coated, impregnated or otherwise loaded onto a carrier or support. Aerosol-forming substrate may comprise nicotine. Aerosol-forming substrate may comprise plant-based material. Aerosol-forming substrate may comprise tobacco. Aerosol-forming substrate may comprise a tobacco-containing material containing volatile tobacco flavour compounds, which are released from the aerosol-forming substrate upon heating. Aerosol-forming substrate may alternatively comprise a non-tobacco-containing material. Aerosol-forming substrate may comprise homogenised plant-based material. Aerosol-forming substrate may comprise homogenised tobacco material. Aerosol-forming substrate may comprise at least one aerosol-former. Aerosol-forming substrate may comprise other additives and ingredients, such as flavourants.

The terms “integral” and “integrally formed” are used herein to describe elements that are formed in one piece (a single, unitary piece). Integral or integrally formed components may be configured such that they cannot be separably removed from each other without causing structural damage to the piece.

As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” also encompass embodiments having plural referents, unless the content clearly dictates otherwise.

As used herein, “or” is generally employed in its sense including “one or the other or both” unless the content clearly dictates otherwise.

The term “about” is used herein in conjunction with numeric values to include normal variations in measurements as expected by persons skilled in the art and is understood to have the same meaning as “approximately.” The term “about” understood to cover a typical margin of error. A typical margin of error may be, for example, ±5% of the stated value.

As used herein, “have,” “having,” “include,” “including,” “comprise,” “comprising” or the like are used in their open-ended sense, and generally mean “including, but not limited to”. It will be understood that “consisting essentially of,” “consisting of,” and the like are subsumed in “comprising,” and the like.

The words “preferred” and “preferably” refer to embodiments of the invention that may afford certain benefits, under certain circumstances. However, other embodiments may also be preferred, under the same or other circumstances. Furthermore, the recitation of one or more preferred embodiments does not imply that other embodiments are not useful and is not intended to exclude other embodiments from the scope of the disclosure, including the claims.

The term “substantially” as used herein can be understood to modify the term that follows by at least about 90%, at least about 95%, or at least about 98%. The term “not substantially” as used herein can be understood to have the inverse meaning of “substantially,” i.e., modifying the term that follows by not more than 10%, not more than 5%, or not more than 2%.

Any direction referred to herein, such as “top,” “bottom,” “left,” “right,” “upper,” “lower,” and other directions or orientations are described herein for clarity and brevity but are not intended to be limiting of an actual device or system. Devices and systems described herein may be used in a number of directions and orientations.

Any suitable shisha cartridge may be used with a shisha device described in the present disclosure. The cartridge may comprise a body defining a cavity. Aerosol-forming substrate may be disposed in the cavity of the cartridge. The body may formed from one or more heat resistant materials. The body may be formed of a heat resistant metal or polymer. The body may comprise a thermally conductive material. For example, the body may comprise any of aluminum, copper, zinc, nickel, silver, any alloys thereof, and combinations thereof. Preferably, the body comprises aluminum.

The cartridge may be of any suitable shape. For example, the cartridge may have a shape configured to be received by a shisha device. The cartridge may have a substantially cuboidal shape, cylindrical shape, frustoconical shape, or any other suitable shape. Preferably, the cartridge has a generally cylindrical shape or a frustoconical shape.

The shisha device is configured to heat the aerosol-forming substrate in the cartridge. The device may be configured to heat the aerosol-forming substrate in the cartridge by conduction. The cartridge is preferably shaped and sized to allow contact with, or minimize distance from, a heating element of the shisha device. Advantageously, this may provide efficient heat transfer from the heating element to the aerosol-forming substrate in the cartridge. The heat may be generated by any suitable mechanism, such as by resistive heating or by induction or by a combination of resistive heating and inductions. In order to facilitate inductive heating, the cartridge may be provided with a susceptor. For example, the cartridge body may be made from or include a material (for example, aluminum) that is capable of acting as a susceptor. In some embodiments, a susceptor material may be provided within the cavity of the cartridge. A susceptor material may be provided within the cavity of the cartridge in any form, for example a powder, a solid block, shreds, etc.

Any suitable aerosol-forming substrate may be provided in the cavity defined by the body of the cartridge. The aerosol-forming substrate is preferably a substrate capable of releasing volatile compounds. The aerosol-forming substrate is preferably a substrate capable of releasing compounds that may form an aerosol. The volatile compounds may be released by heating the aerosol-forming substrate. The volatile compounds may be released by a chemical reaction or by a mechanical stimulus, such as ultrasound. Aerosol-forming substrate may be solid or liquid or may comprise both solid and liquid components. Aerosol-forming substrate may be adsorbed, coated, impregnated or otherwise loaded onto a carrier or support.

The aerosol-forming substrate may comprise nicotine. The nicotine containing aerosol-forming substrate may comprise a nicotine salt matrix. The aerosol-forming substrate may comprise plant-based material. The aerosol-forming substrate preferably comprises tobacco. The tobacco containing material preferably comprises volatile tobacco flavor compounds, which are released from the aerosol-forming substrate upon heating. The aerosol-forming substrate may comprise homogenized tobacco material. Homogenized tobacco material may be formed by agglomerating particulate tobacco. The aerosol-forming substrate may alternatively or additionally comprise a non-tobacco-containing material. The aerosol-forming substrate may comprise homogenized plant-based material. Aerosol-forming substrate may comprise at least one aerosol-former. Aerosol-forming substrate may comprise other additives and ingredients, such as flavorants. Preferably, the aerosol-forming substrate is a shisha substrate. A shisha substrate is understood to mean a consumable material that is suitable for use in a shisha device. Shisha substrate may include molasses.

The aerosol-forming substrate may include, for example, one or more of: powder, granules, pellets, shreds, spaghettis, strips, or sheets. The aerosol-forming substrate may contain one or more of: herb leaf, tobacco leaf, fragments of tobacco ribs, reconstituted tobacco, homogenized tobacco, extruded tobacco, and expanded tobacco.

The aerosol-forming substrate may include at least one aerosol former. Suitable aerosol formers include compounds or mixtures of compounds which, in use, facilitate formation of a dense and stable aerosol and which are substantially resistant to thermal degradation at the operating temperature of the shisha device. Suitable aerosol formers are well known in the art and include, but are not limited to: polyhydric alcohols, such as triethylene glycol, 1,3-butanediol and glycerine; esters of polyhydric alcohols, such as glycerol mono-, di- or triacetate; and aliphatic esters of mono-, di- or polycarboxylic acids, such as dimethyl dodecanedioate and dimethyl tetradecanedioate. Particularly preferred aerosol formers are polyhydric alcohols or mixtures thereof, such as triethylene glycol, 1,3-butanediol and, most preferred, glycerine. The aerosol-forming substrate may include any suitable amount of an aerosol former. For example, the aerosol former content of the substrate may be equal to or greater than 5% on a dry weight basis, and preferably greater than 30% by weight on a dry weight basis. The aerosol former content may be less than about 95% on a dry weight basis. Preferably, the aerosol former content is up to about 55%.

The aerosol-forming substrate preferably includes nicotine and at least one aerosol former. In some embodiments, the aerosol former is glycerine or a mixture of glycerine and one or more other suitable aerosol formers, such as those listed above.

The aerosol-forming substrate may include other additives and ingredients, such as flavorants, sweeteners, etc. In some examples, the aerosol-forming substrate includes one or more sugars in any suitable amount. Preferably, the aerosol-forming substrate includes invert sugar. Invert sugar is a mixture of glucose and fructose obtained by splitting sucrose. Preferably, the aerosol-forming substrate includes from about 1% to about 40% sugar, such as invert sugar, by weight. In some example, one or more sugars may be mixed with a suitable carrier such as cornstarch or maltodextrin.

In some examples, the aerosol-forming substrate includes one or more sensory-enhancing agents. Suitable sensory-enhancing agents include flavorants and sensation agents, such as cooling agents. Suitable flavorants include natural or synthetic menthol, peppermint, spearmint, coffee, tea, spices (such as cinnamon, clove, ginger, or combination thereof), cocoa, vanilla, fruit flavors, chocolate, eucalyptus, geranium, eugenol, agave, juniper, anethole, linalool, and any combination thereof.

In some examples, the aerosol-forming substrate is in the form of a suspension. For example, the aerosol-forming substrate may include molasses. As used herein, “molasses” means an aerosol-forming substrate composition comprising about 20% or more sugar. For example, the molasses may include at least about 25% by weight sugar, such as at least about 35% by weight sugar. Typically, the molasses will contain less than about 60% by weight sugar, such as less than about 50% by weight sugar.

Any suitable amount of aerosol-forming substrate (for example, molasses or tobacco substrate) may be disposed in the cavity. In some preferred embodiments, about 3 g to about 25 g of the aerosol-forming substrate is disposed in the cavity. The cartridge may include at least 6 g, at least 7 g, at least 8 g, or at least 9 g of aerosol-forming substrate. The cartridge may include up to 15 g, up to 12 g; up to 11 g, or up to 10 g of aerosol-forming substrate. Preferably, from about 7 g to about 13 g of aerosol-forming substrate is disposed in the cavity.

The aerosol-forming substrate may be provided on or embedded in a thermally stable carrier. The term “thermally stable” is used herein to indicate a material that does not substantially degrade at temperatures to which the substrate is typically heated (e.g., about 150° C. to about 300° C.). The carrier may comprise a thin layer on which the substrate deposited on a first major surface, on second major outer surface, or on both the first and second major surfaces. The carrier may be formed of, for example, a paper, or paper-like material, a non-woven carbon fiber mat, a low mass open mesh metallic screen, or a perforated metallic foil or any other thermally stable polymer matrix. Alternatively, the carrier may take the form of powder, granules, pellets, shreds, spaghettis, strips or sheets. The carrier may be a non-woven fabric or fiber bundle into which tobacco components have been incorporated. The non-woven fabric or fiber bundle may comprise, for example, carbon fibers, natural cellulose fibers, or cellulose-derivative fibers.

The body of the cartridge may include one or more walls. In some embodiments, the body includes a top wall, a bottom wall, and a sidewall. The sidewall may be cylindrical or frustoconical, extending from the bottom to the top. The body may include one or more parts. For example, the sidewall and the bottom wall may be an integral single part. The sidewall and the bottom wall may be two parts configured to engage one another in any suitable manner. For example, the sidewall and the bottom wall may be configured to engage one another by threaded engagement or interference fit. The sidewall and the bottom wall may be two parts joined together. For example, the sidewall and the bottom wall may be joined together by welding or by an adhesive. The top wall and sidewall may be a single integral part. The sidewall and the top wall may be two parts configured to engage one another in any suitable manner. For example, sidewall and the top wall may be configured to engage one another by threaded engagement or interference fit. The sidewall and the top wall may be two parts joined together. For example, the sidewall and the top wall may be joined together by welding or by an adhesive. The top wall, sidewall and bottom wall may all be a single integral part. The top wall, the sidewall, and the bottom wall may be three separate parts configured to engage one another in any suitable manner. For example, the top wall, the sidewall, and the bottom wall may be configured to engage by threaded engagement interference fit, welding, or an adhesive.

One or more walls of the body may form a heatable wall or surface. As used herein, “heatable wall” and “heatable surface” mean an area of a wall or a surface to which heat may be applied, either directly or indirectly. The heatable wall or surface may function as a heat transfer surface through which heat may be transferred from outside of the body to the cavity or to an internal surface of the cavity.

Preferably, the body of the cartridge has a length (for example, an axial length along a vertical center axis) of about 15 cm or less. In some embodiments, the body has a length of about 10 cm or less. The body may have an inside diameter of about 1 cm or more. The inside diameter of the body may be about 1.75 cm or more. The cartridge may have a heatable surface area in the cavity from about 25 cm² to about 100 cm², such as from about 70 cm² to about 100 cm². The volume of the cavity may be from about 10 cm³ to about 50 cm³; preferably from about 25 cm³ to about 40 cm³. In some embodiments, the body has a length in a range from about 3.5 cm to about 7 cm. The inside diameter of the body may be from about 1.5 cm to about 4 cm. The body may have a heatable surface area in the cavity from about 30 cm² to about 100 cm², such as from about 70 cm² to about 100 cm². The volume of the cavity may be from about 10 cm³ to about 50 cm³; preferably from about 25 cm³ to about 40 cm³. Preferably, the body is cylindrical or frustoconical.

The cartridge body may include one or more openings or ventilation holes through one or more walls of the body. The ventilation holes may be inlets, outlets, or both. The ventilation holes may be disposed at the bottom wall, top wall, sides, or a combination thereof, of the cartridge. Preferably, the cartridge body does not include any openings or ventilation holes prior to being pierced by the piercing element of the shisha device. The piercing element may introduce one of more openings or ventilation holes to the cartridge.

The cartridge body may comprise one or more openings or ventilation holes prior to being pierced by the piercing element of the shisha device. After being pierced by the piercing elements, the cartridge may comprise one or more additional openings.

Following piercing of the cartridge, the cartridge may include one or more inlets and one or more outlets. The one or more inlets and one or more outlets allow air to flow through the aerosol-forming substrate when the cartridge is used with a shisha device. In some embodiments, the top wall of the cartridge may be absent or may define one or more openings to form the one or more inlets of the cartridge. The bottom wall of the cartridge may define one or more openings to form the one or more outlets of the cartridge.

The one or more openings formed by the piercing element of the shisha device, together with the openings present in the cartridge prior to piercing by the piercing element, if any, may form one or more inlets and outlets that are sized and shaped to provide a suitable resistance to draw (RTD) through the cartridge. In some examples, the RTD through the cartridge, from the inlet or inlets to the outlet or outlets, may be from about 10 mm H₂O to about 50 mm H₂O, preferably from about 20 mm H₂O to about 40 mm H₂O. The RTD of a specimen refers to the static pressure difference between the two ends of the specimen when it is traversed by an air flow under steady conditions in which the volumetric flow is 17.5 milliliters per second at the output end. The RTD of a specimen may be measured using the method set out in ISO Standard 6565:2002.

The one or more openings on the body may cover 5% or greater, 10% or greater, 15% or greater, 20% or greater, or 25% or greater of the area of the wall the openings are on. For example, if the openings are on the top wall, the openings may cover at least 5% of the area of the top wall. The one or more openings on the body may cover 75% or less, 50% or less, 40% or less, or 30% or less of the area of the wall the openings are on.

If the cartridge includes any openings or ventilation holes prior to being pierced with the piercing element of the shisha device, the cartridge may further include a seal or layer covering the openings or ventilation holes prior to use. The seal is preferably sufficient to prevent air flow through the openings or ventilation holes to prevent leakage of the contents of the cartridge and to extend shelf life. The seal may comprise a peelable label of sticker, foil, or the like. The label, sticker, or foil may be affixed to the cartridge in any suitable manner, such as with an adhesive, crimping, welding, or otherwise being joined to the container. The seal may comprise a tab that may be grasped to peel or remove the label, sticker, or foil from the cartridge.

The cartridge may be a shisha cartridge that may be used with any suitable shisha device. Preferably, the shisha device is configured to sufficiently heat the aerosol-forming substrate in the cartridge to form an aerosol from the aerosol-forming substrate but not to combust the aerosol-forming substrate. An aerosol may be formed from the aerosol-forming substrate by volatilizing one or more components of the aerosol-forming substrate. For example, the shisha device may be configured to heat the aerosol-forming substrate to a temperature in a range from about 150° C. to about 300° C.; more preferably from about 180° C. to about 250° C. or from about 200° C. to about 230° C. to volatilize one or more constituents of the aerosol-forming substrate.

The shisha device may include a receptacle for receiving the cartridge. The shisha device may include a heating element configured to contact or to be in proximity to the body of the cartridge when the cartridge is received in the receptacle. The heating element may form at least part of the receptacle. For example, the heating element may form at least a portion of the surface of the receptacle. The shisha cartridge may be configured to transfer heat from the heating element to the aerosol-forming substrate in the cavity by conduction. In some embodiments, the heating element includes an electric heating element. In some embodiments, the heating element includes a resistive heating component. For example, the heating element may include one or more resistive wires or other resistive elements. The resistive wires may be in contact with a thermally conductive material to distribute heat produced over a broader area. Examples of suitable conductive materials include aluminum, copper, zinc, nickel, silver, and combinations thereof. The heating element may form at least a portion of the surface of the receptacle.

The shisha device may include control electronics operably coupled to the heating element. The control electronics may be configured to control heating of the heating element. The control electronics may be configured to control the temperature to which the aerosol-forming substrate in the cartridge is heated. The control electronics may be provided in any suitable form and may, for example, include a controller or a memory and a controller. The controller may include one or more of an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC) state machine, a digital signal processor, a gate array, a microprocessor, or equivalent discrete or integrated logic circuitry. Control electronics may include memory that contains instructions that cause one or more components of the circuitry to carry out a function or aspect of the control electronics. Functions attributable to control electronics in this disclosure may be embodied as one or more of software, firmware, and hardware.

The electronic circuitry may include a microprocessor, which may be a programmable microprocessor. The electronic circuitry may be configured to regulate a supply of power. The power may be supplied to the heater element in the form of pulses of electrical current.

In some examples, the control electronics may be configured to monitor the electrical resistance of the heating element and to control the supply of power to the heating element depending on the electrical resistance of the heating element. In this manner, the control electronics may regulate the temperature of the resistive element.

The shisha device may include a temperature sensor, such as a thermocouple. The temperature sensor may be operably coupled to the control electronics to control the temperature of the heating element. The temperature sensor may be positioned in any suitable location. For example, the temperature sensor may be configured to insert into the cartridge when received within the receptacle to monitor the temperature of the aerosol-forming substrate being heated. In addition or alternatively, the temperature sensor may be in contact with the heating element. In addition or alternatively, the temperature sensor may be positioned to detect temperature at an aerosol outlet of the shisha device or a portion thereof. The sensor may transmit signals regarding the sensed temperature to the control electronics. The control electronics may adjust heating of the heating elements in response to the signal to achieve a suitable temperature at the sensor.

The control electronics may be operably coupled to a power supply. The shisha device may include any suitable power supply. For example, a power supply of a shisha device may be a battery or set of batteries. The batteries of the power supply may be one or more of rechargeable, removable and replaceable. Any suitable battery may be used. For example, heavy duty type or standard batteries existing in the market, such as used for industrial heavy-duty electrical power-tools. Alternatively, the power supply may be any type of electric power supply including a super or hyper-capacitor. Alternatively, the assembly may be connected to an external electrical power source, and electrically and electronically designed for such purpose. Regardless of the type of power supply employed, the power supply preferably provides sufficient energy for the normal functioning of the assembly for at least one shisha session until aerosol is depleted from the aerosol-forming substrate in the cartridge before being recharged or needing to connect to an external electrical power source. Preferably, the power supply provides sufficient energy for the normal functioning of the assembly for at least about 70 minutes of continuous operation of the device, before being recharged or needing to connect to an external electrical power source.

In one example, a shisha device includes an aerosol-generating element that includes a cartridge receptacle, a heating element, an aerosol outlet, and an air inlet. The cartridge receptacle is configured to receive a cartridge containing the aerosol-forming substrate. The heating element may define at least part of a surface of the receptacle.

The shisha device includes an air inlet channel in fluid connection with the receptacle. In use, when the aerosol-forming substrate inside the cartridge is heated, aerosol former components in the substrate vaporize. Air flowing from the air inlet channel through the cartridge becomes entrained with aerosol generated from the aerosol former components in the cartridge.

Some electrically heated shisha devices employ pre-heated air and typically employ an airflow path such that the air travels in the vicinity of the heat source upon puffing. Further, some electrically heated shisha devices employ elements that increase radiation heat transfer by increasing the heated surface area.

The air inlet channel may include one or more apertures through the cartridge receptacle. Air from outside the shisha device may flow through the channel and into the cartridge receptacle through the one or more apertures. If a channel includes more than one aperture, the channel may include a manifold. The manifold may direct air flowing through the channel to each aperture. Preferably, the shisha device includes two or more air inlet channels.

As described above, the shisha device includes a piercing element configured to pierce the cartridge to form one or more openings (such as inlets, outlets, or inlets and outlets) in the body of the cartridge to allow air to flow through the cartridge. The piercing element may be operably coupled to an actuator. Actuation of the actuator causes the piercing element to pierce the cartridge. Preferably, the shisha device is configured to prevent the actuator from causing the piercing element to pierce the cartridge until the shisha device is received in the receptacle. Preferably, actuation of the actuator is a step separate from inserting the cartridge in the receptacle or closing a lid or a cover once the cartridge is received in the receptacle.

The shisha device may comprise any suitable piercing element. For example, the piercing element may mechanically pierce the body of the cartridge, may pierce the body of the cartridge by focusing energy on the body of the cartridge, or the like. For example, the piercing element may comprise an elongate element comprising a tapered end for puncturing the body of the cartridge, the piercing element may comprise a laser or other suitable element for generating energy and focusing energy at one or more locations of the body of the cartridge to form the openings, the piercing element may heat the cartridge to allow formation of openings in the body of the cartridge at predetermined heat labile locations of the cartridge, or the like.

If the cartridge is manufactured to be predisposed to forming openings in the body when the cartridge is heated, the heating element of the shisha device may serve as the piercing element. Preferably, the heating element forms at least a portion of the receptacle.

A piercing element that is configured to generate and focus energy at one or more locations of the body may comprise an energy source, such as a light source. Such a piercing element may comprise one or more appropriate lenses for focusing energy emitted from the source to one or more locations of the body of the cartridge. For example, the piercing element may comprise a laser. The energy source may be operably coupled to the control electronics of the shisha device. The actuator may also be operably coupled to the control electronics. Actuation of the actuator may cause the control electronics to activate the energy source.

A piercing element that is configured to mechanically pierce may comprise an elongate element having a tapered end. The elongate element may be operably coupled to an actuator. Actuation of the actuator may cause the tapered end to puncture the cartridge to form one or more openings in the body of the cartridge.

For example, actuation of the actuator may cause the elongate element to move from a retracted position to an extended position. Movement of the elongate element from the retracted position to the extended position may cause the elongate element to pierce the cartridge. The shisha device may further comprise a spring operably coupled to the actuator to bias the actuator towards a position that causes the elongate element to be in the retracted position.

The shisha device may comprise any suitable actuator that is operably coupled to the piercing element. The actuator may comprise a toggle, a button, a slide, or the like. Preferably, the actuator is a separate element of the shisha device that is specifically designed for actuating the piercing element.

In some embodiments, movement of the actuator causes movement of the piercing elements. For example, the actuator may comprise a depressible button. Pressing the button may cause movement of the piercing element, such as the elongate element, such that the piercing element pierces the cartridge, for example, by moving the elongate element from the retracted position to the extended position. A spring may be operably coupled to the button to bias the button towards a position that results in the elongate element being in the retracted position when the button is not depressed.

In some embodiments, the actuator is operably coupled to the control electronics, which may be coupled to the piercing element. For example, the control electronics may be operably coupled to a motor configured to move the piercing element, such as the elongate element, such that the piercing element pierces the cartridge, for example, by moving the elongate element from the retracted position to the extended position. The motor may also move the elongate element from the extended position to the retracted position after the cartridge has been pierced. As another example, the control electronics may be operably coupled to an energy source of a piercing element, such as a laser, configured to direct emitted energy towards a location of the body of the cartridge. As yet another example, the control electronics may be operably coupled to a heating element configured to cause openings to form in heat labile portions of the body of the cartridge. Actuation of the actuator, such as switching a toggle, pressing a button, sliding a slide, or the like, may result in the control electronics causing the motor to move the elongate element, causing the energy source to activate, causing the heating element to heat, or the like.

The shisha device may comprise a release configured to prevent the actuator from causing the piercing element to pierce the cartridge until the cartridge is received in the receptacle. As used in the present disclosure, a “release” is a mechanism that prevents actuation of the actuator from causing the piercing element from piercing the cartridge. Any suitable mechanism may be employed. For example, the release may comprise one or more of an electrical component, a mechanical component, or an electromechanical component.

In some embodiments where the piercing element comprises an elongate element that moves from a retracted position to an extended position in which the elongate element pierces the cartridge, the release comprises a mechanical mechanism that prevents the actuator from causing the elongate element to move from the retracted position to the extended position until the cartridge is received in the receptacle. For example, insertion of the cartridge into the receptacle may cause an element of the release to move from a first position to a second position. The element of the release in the first position may prevent the actuator from causing the elongate element to move from the retracted position to the extended position. The element of the release in the second position may permit the actuator to cause the elongate element to move from the retracted position to the extended position. The release may comprise a mechanical release element that extends into the receptacle such that insertion of the cartridge into the receptacle causes movement of the release element to move from the first position to the second position.

The release may comprise a motor. For example, a motor may be operably coupled to a mechanical element that prevents the piercing element from piercing the cartridge. The mechanical element may contact the actuator, the piercing element, or other suitable element, in a manner that prevents the actuator from causing the piercing element from piercing the cartridge.

The control electronics of the shisha device may serve as the release. For example, the control electronics may be operably coupled to a motor that is operably coupled to the piercing element, such as a piercing element comprising an elongate element. The control electronics may be configured to prevent activation of the motor when the cartridge is received in the receptacle. As another example, the control electronics may be operably coupled to a piercing element comprising an energy source or heating element and may be configured to prevent activation of the energy source or heating element until the cartridge is received in the receptacle.

The shisha device may include one or more sensors to determine whether the cartridge is received in the receptacle. The sensor may be operably coupled to the control electronics, which may prevent the actuator from causing the piercing element to pierce the cartridge until the sensor detects that the cartridge is received in the receptacle.

The shisha device may optionally comprise a sensor to detect whether the received cartridge has already been consumed and may prevent the actuator from causing the piercing element to pierce the cartridge if the sensor detects that the cartridge has been consumed. Thus, activation of the piercing element may be prevented until an unused cartridge that has not previously been pierced is received in the receptacle.

Any suitable sensor may be employed to detect whether a cartridge is received in the receptacle or whether an unused cartridge is in the receptacle. For example, the sensor may include an optical sensor, an airflow sensor, a capacitance sensor, an induction sensor, or the like.

In use and after being pierced by the piercing element, the cartridge includes one or more openings (such as inlets, outlets, or inlets and outlets) formed in the body to allow air to flow through the cartridge. Air that enters the cartridge may flow across or through, or both across and through the aerosol-forming substrate, entraining aerosol, and exiting the cartridge and receptacle via an aerosol outlet. From the aerosol outlet, the air carrying the aerosol enters a vessel of the shisha device.

The shisha device may include any suitable vessel defining an interior volume configured to contain a liquid and defining an outlet in the headspace above a liquid fill level. The vessel may include an optically transparent or opaque housing to allow a consumer to observe contents contained in the vessel. The vessel may include a liquid fill demarcation, such as a liquid fill line. The vessel housing may be formed of any suitable material. For example, the vessel housing may include glass or suitable rigid plastic material. Preferably, the vessel is removable from a portion of the shisha assembly comprising the aerosol-generation element to allow a consumer to fill, empty or clean the vessel.

The vessel may be filled to a liquid fill level by a consumer. The liquid preferably includes water, which may optionally be infused with one or more colorants, flavorants, or colorants and flavorants. For example, the water may be infused with one or both of botanical and herbal infusions.

Aerosol entrained in air exiting the aerosol outlet of the receptacle may travel through a conduit positioned in the vessel. The conduit may be coupled to the aerosol outlet of the aerosol-generating element and may have an opening below the liquid fill level of the vessel, such that aerosol flowing through the vessel flows through the opening of the conduit, then through the liquid, into headspace of the vessel and exits through a headspace outlet, for delivery to a consumer.

The headspace outlet may be coupled to a hose comprising a mouthpiece for delivering the aerosol to a consumer. The mouthpiece may include an activation element, such as a switch activatable by a user, a puff sensor arranged to detect a user puffing on the mouthpiece, or both a switch activatable by the user and a puff sensor. The activation element is operably coupled to the control electronics of the shisha device. The activation element may be wirelessly coupled to the control electronics. Activation of the activation element may cause the control electronics to activate the heating element, rather than constantly supplying energy to the heating element. Accordingly, the use of an activation element may serve to save energy relative to devices not employing such elements to provide on-demand heating rather than constant heating.

For purposes of example, one method for using a shisha device as described herein is provided below in chronological order. The vessel may be detached from other components of the shisha device and filled with water. One or more of natural fruit juices, botanicals, and herbal infusions may be added to the water for flavoring. The amount of liquid added should cover a portion of the conduit but should not exceed a fill level mark that may optionally exist on the vessel. The vessel is then reassembled to the shisha device. The cartridge may be prepared by removing any removable layer (if present). A portion of the aerosol-generating element may be removed or opened to allow the cartridge to be inserted into the receptacle. The aerosol-generating element is then reassembled or closed.

The actuator may be actuated by a user by, for example, toggling a switch, pressing a button, sliding a slide, or the like. In some embodiments, the actuator may be actuated by control electronics of the device upon detection that the cartridge is received in the receptacle. If the cartridge is received in the closed receptacle, actuation of the actuator causes the piercing element to pierce the cartridge to form one or more openings in the body of the cartridge.

The device may then be turned on before or after actuating the actuator, as appropriate. Turning on the device may initiate a heating profile of a heating element, to heat the aerosol-forming substrate to a temperature at or above a vaporization temperature but below a combustion temperature of the aerosol-forming substrate. The aerosol forming compounds of the aerosol-forming substrate vaporize, generating an aerosol. The user may puff on the mouthpiece as desired. The user may continue using the device as long as desired or until no more aerosol is visible or being delivered. In some embodiments, the device may be arranged to automatically shut off when the cartridge or a compartment of the cartridge is depleted of usable aerosol-forming substrate. In some embodiments, the consumer may refill the device with a new cartridge after, for example, receiving the cue from the device that the aerosol-forming substrate in the cartridge is depleted or nearly depleted. The shisha device may be turned off at any time by a consumer by, for example, switching off the device.

The shisha device may have any suitable air management. In one example, puffing action from the user will create a suction effect causing a low pressure inside the device which will cause external air to flow through an air inlet of the device, into the air inlet channel, and into the receptacle. The air may then flow through the cartridge in the receptacle and become entrained with aerosol produced from the aerosol-forming substrate. The air with entrained aerosol then exits the aerosol outlet of the receptacle, flows through the conduit to the liquid inside the vessel. The aerosol will then bubble out of the liquid and into head space in the vessel above the level of the liquid, out the headspace outlet, and through the hose and mouthpiece for delivery to the consumer. The flow of external air and the flow of the aerosol inside the shisha device may be driven by the action of puffing from the user.

Reference will now be made to the drawings, which depict one or more embodiments described in this disclosure. However, it will be understood that other embodiments not depicted in the drawings fall within the scope and spirit of this disclosure. Like numbers used in the figures refer to like components. The use of different numbers to refer to components in different figures is not intended to indicate that the different numbered components cannot be the same or similar to other numbered components. The figures are presented for purposes of illustration and not limitation. Schematic drawings presented in the figures are not necessarily to scale.

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a shisha device.

FIGS. 2A and 2B are schematic sectional views of a shisha device showing some components to illustrate an embodiment of a piercing element.

FIGS. 3-5 are schematic drawings of shisha devices having different piercing elements operably coupled to control electronics.

FIGS. 6A and 6B are schematic drawings illustrating an embodiment of a receptacle of a shisha device comprising a release.

FIGS. 7A and 7B are schematic drawings illustrating some components of an embodiment of a release, actuator, and piercing element.

FIG. 1 is a schematic sectional view of an example of a shisha device 100. The device 100 includes a vessel 17 defining an interior volume configured to contain liquid 19 and defining a headspace outlet 15 above a fill level for the liquid 19. The liquid 19 preferably includes water, which may optionally be infused with one or more colorants, one or more flavorants, or one or more colorants and one or more flavorants. For example, the water may be infused with one or both of botanical infusions and herbal infusions.

The device 100 also includes an aerosol-generating element 130. The aerosol-generating element 130 includes a receptacle 140 configured to receive a cartridge 200 comprising an aerosol-forming substrate. The aerosol-generating element 130 may also include a heating element 160. The heating element 160 may form at least one surface of the receptacle 140. In the depicted embodiment, the heating element 160 defines the side surfaces of the receptacle 140. The aerosol-generating element 130 also includes an air inlet channel 170 that draws air into the device 100. In some embodiments, portion of the air inlet channel 170 is formed by the heating element 160 to heat the air before the air enters the receptacle 140. The pre-heated air then enters the cartridge 200, which is also heated by heating element 160, to carry aerosol generated by the aerosol former and the aerosol-forming substrate. The air exits an outlet of the aerosol-generating element 130 and enters a conduit 190.

The conduit 190 carries the air and aerosol into the vessel 17 below the level of the liquid 19. The air and aerosol may bubble through the liquid 19 and exit the headspace outlet 15 of the vessel 17. A hose 20 may be attached to the headspace outlet 15 to carry the aerosol to the mouth of a user. A mouthpiece 25 may be attached to, or form a part of, the hose 20.

An exemplary air flow path of the device, in use, is depicted by thick arrows in FIG. 1 .

The mouthpiece 25 may include an activation element 27. The activation element 27 may be a switch, button or the like, or may be a puff sensor or the like. The activation element 27 may be placed at any other suitable location of the device 100. The activation element 27 may be in wireless communication with the control electronics 30 to place the device 100 in condition for use or to cause control electronics to activate the heating element 160; for example, by causing power supply 35 to energize the heating element 160.

The control electronics 30 and power supply 35 may be located in any suitable position of the aerosol-generating element 130, including locations other than the bottom portion of the element 130 as depicted in FIG. 1 .

The shisha device 100 includes an actuator 300, such as a depressible button, operably coupled to a piercing element (not shown in FIG. 1 ) for piercing the cartridge 200 prior to use.

FIGS. 2A and 2B are illustrate an embodiment of a piercing element 400. The piercing element 400 is operably coupled to the actuator 300. The actuator 300 is a button comprising an elongate rod coupled to a platform 330 of the piercing element 400. The actuator 300 extends through an opening in the housing 105 of the shisha device 100.

The piercing element 400 comprises elongate members 310, 315 having tapered ends for piercing a cartridge in the receptacle 140 formed at least in part by the heating element 160. The piercing element 400 also comprises upper 330 and lower 335 platforms from which the elongate members 310, 315 extend. Apertures 165 are formed through a portion of the upper platform 330 to allow elongate members 310 to extend into the receptacle 140 to pierce the cartridge when the actuator 300 is depressed (FIG. 2B). Springs 320 or other biasing elements are used to bias the elongate members 310 and actuator 300 towards the unactuated position (FIG. 2A).

The piercing element 400 also includes extensions 340 extending from platform 330 and lever elements 350 connecting platform 335 to extensions 340. The piercing element 400 also includes members 360 about which lever elements 350 pivot. Spring elements 325 or other biasing elements may bias platform 335 and elongate members 315 to the retracted position (FIG. 2A). Depression of the actuator 300 causes the extensions 340 to move downward, which causes the lever elements 350 to pivot and cause the lower platform 335 to move up, which causes the elongate element 315 to enter the receptacle 140 to pierce a cartridge received in the receptacle 140 (FIG. 2B).

FIGS. 3-5 are schematic drawings of shisha devices 100 having different piercing elements 400 operably coupled to control electronics 30. The control electronics are operably coupled to the power supply 35 and actuator 300. Actuation of the actuator 300 causes the control electronics 35 to active the piercing mechanism 400. In FIG. 3 the piercing element 400 comprises a motor 410 and an elongate element with a tapered end 315. Activation of the motor 410 by the control electronics causes the elongate member 315 to extend into the receptacle 140 to pierce a cartridge in the receptacle 140. In FIG. 4 , the piercing element comprises an energy source 420 operably coupled to the control electronics 30 and comprises a column 430 configured to focus energy from the energy source 420 at a location of a cartridge in the receptacle 140. In FIG. 5 , the piercing element 400 comprises the heating element 160, which is operably coupled to the control electronics 30. Actuation of the actuator 300 causes the control electronics 30 to activate the heating element 160, which may sufficiently heat a cartridge in the receptacle 140 to form openings in the cartridge at heat labile locations of the cartridge.

The shisha devices 100 depicted in FIGS. 3-5 comprise a sensor 500 configured to detect whether a cartridge is received in the receptacle 140. The sensor 500 is operably coupled to the control electronics 30. If a cartridge is received in the receptacle 140, the sensor may send a signal to the control electronics 30 such that the control electronics 30 permits activation of the piercing element 400 if the actuator 300 is actuated. If a cartridge is not received in the receptacle 310, the control electronics 30 prevents activation of the piercing element 400 when the actuator 300 is actuated. In this manner, the control electronics and sensor act as a release.

FIGS. 6A and 6B illustrate a receptacle 140 of a shisha device that includes a release 600 extending into the receptacle 140. Insertion of the cartridge 200 into the receptacle 140 causes the release 600 to move. Movement of the release 600 by placing the cartridge 200 in the receptacle 140 may cause a latch or other suitable stop mechanism (not shown) to permit an elongate element (such as shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B) to pierce the cartridge 200. When the cartridge 200 is not received in the receptacle 140 (FIG. 6A), the release 600 may be positioned to prevent the elongate element from piercing the cartridge 200 by preventing actuation of the actuator.

FIGS. 7A and 7B show an embodiment of a release 600 configured to prevent the actuator 300 from causing the piercing element 400 to pierce a cartridge until the cartridge is received in the receptacle. The release 600 comprises a motor 410 and a rod 610 extendable and retractable by the motor 410. When extended (FIG. 6A), the rod 610 interacts with platform 335 of piercing element 400 to prevent actuation of the actuator from advancing elongate element 315, which is operably coupled to platform 335. In the retracted position (FIG. 6B), the rod 610 does not interact with the platform 335, allowing actuation of the actuator 300 to cause the elongate element 315 to advance and pierce a cartridge in the receptacle. The motor 410 may be coupled to control electronics and a sensor, as appropriate.

Thus, shisha devices comprising mechanisms for piercing a cartridge are described. Various modifications and variations of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Although the invention has been described in connection with specific preferred embodiments, it should be understood that the invention as claimed should not be unduly limited to such specific embodiments. Indeed, various modifications of the described modes for carrying out the invention which are apparent to those skilled in the mechanical arts, chemical arts, and aerosol-generating article manufacturing or related fields are intended to be within the scope of the following claims. 

1. A shisha device comprising: a vessel comprising an interior volume configured to contain a liquid, the vessel comprising an inlet and a headspace outlet; a receptacle for receiving a cartridge, the cartridge comprising an aerosol forming substrate; a heating element configured to heat the cartridge when the cartridge is received in the receptacle; a conduit through which generated aerosol may flow to the vessel via the inlet; a piercing element configured to pierce the cartridge; an actuator operably coupled to the piercing element, wherein actuation of the actuator causes the piercing element to pierce the cartridge, and a release operatively coupled to the actuator and configured to prevent the actuator from causing the piercing element to pierce the cartridge until the cartridge is received in the receptacle.
 2. The shisha device according to claim 1, wherein the piercing element comprises an elongate element, wherein actuation of the actuator causes the elongate element to move from a retracted position to an extended position and wherein movement of the elongate element from the retracted position to the extended position causes the elongate element to pierce the cartridge.
 3. The shisha device according to claim 2, wherein the release prevents the actuator from causing the elongate element to move from the retracted position to the extended position until the cartridge is received in the receptacle.
 4. The shisha device according to claim 3, wherein insertion of the cartridge into the receptacle causes the release to move from a first position to a second position, wherein the release in the first position prevents the actuator from causing the elongate element to move from the retracted position to the extended position, and wherein the release in the second position permits the actuator to cause the elongate element to move from the retracted position to the extended position.
 5. The shisha device according to claim 4, wherein at least a portion of the release extends into the receptacle such that insertion of the cartridge into the receptacle causes movement of the release from the first position to the second position.
 6. The shisha device according to claim 3, further comprising a sensor configured to detect whether the cartridge is received in the receptacle, wherein the sensor is operably coupled to the release such that the release prevents the actuator from causing the elongate element to move from the retracted position to the extended position until the sensor detects that the cartridge is received in the receptacle.
 7. The shisha device according to claim 6, further comprising a controller operably coupled to the sensor and to the release.
 8. The shisha device according to claim 7, wherein the release comprises a motor, and wherein the controller is configured to cause the motor to move the piercing element from the first position to the second position when the sensor detects that the cartridge is received in the receptacle.
 9. The shisha device according to claim 2, further comprising a spring operably coupled to the actuator to bias the actuator towards a position that causes the elongate element to be in the retracted position.
 10. The shisha device according to claim 1, further comprising a sensor configured to detect whether a cartridge is received in the receptacle, wherein the sensor is operably coupled to the actuator such that the actuator is prevented from causing the piercing element to pierce the cartridge until the sensor detects that the cartridge is received in the receptacle.
 11. The shisha device according to claim 10, wherein the piercing element comprises an elongate element, wherein the actuator comprises a motor, and wherein the shisha device further comprises a controller operably coupled to the sensor and the motor, wherein the controller is configured to cause the motor to move to cause the elongate element to move from a retracted position to an extended position to pierce the cartridge when the sensor detects that the cartridge is received in the receptacle.
 12. The shisha device according to claim 1, wherein the shisha device comprises a sensor configured to detect whether a cartridge received by the receptacle has been pierced, wherein the shisha device is configured to prevent the actuator from causing the piercing element to pierce the cartridge if the cartridge received in the receptacle has been pierced.
 13. The shisha device according to claim 1, wherein the piercing element comprises a laser.
 14. The shisha device according to claim 1, wherein the heating element forms at least a portion of the receptacle for receiving the cartridge.
 15. A method comprising: inserting the cartridge into a receptacle of a shisha device according to any one of claims 1 to 14; and actuating the actuator to cause the piercing element to pierce the cartridge. 